Police in Massachusetts to phase out handwritten traffic tickets at cost of $7,500 per cruiser

The Boston Globe reports that police departments are planning to phase out those handwritten citations that officers give to motorists with instant electronic tickets.

Officials say the current system, in which police handwrite the violations and give one copy to the motorist and mail another to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, is prone to sloppiness and mistakes.

Under the Motor Vehicle Automated Crash and Citation System, driver's licenses would be run through card readers in police cruisers. A ticket would then be printed out and the information automatically sent to the registry.

The equipment is expected to cost about $7,500 per cruiser. The Legislature has authorized $20 million for the program, which could begin as early as next year.